The inspired £20m signing that could fire West Ham United’s European push
West Ham United and David Moyes have had a strong first half of the season. The Hammers will return to action at Aston Villa on Sunday in the top ten of the table thanks to the 2-2 draw they earned against Newcastle United in their penultimate match before the international break.
With only two losses in their first eight league games and victories against Backa Topola and Freiburg in the Europa League, there is a lot of optimism that the Hammers’ winning streak will carry over into what might be an exciting season.
It’s already time to start thinking about how Moyes could improve his team during the January transfer window, and it appears probable that his main emphasis will be at the top of the pitch as he attempts to bolster his squad’s firepower.
With five goals scored so far this season, Jarrod Bowen leads the Hammers’ offense, but leading scorer Michail Antonio has only scored two and Danny Ings has yet to score. One striker in particular stands out as a potentially wise addition after establishing himself in La Liga, the Europa League, the Champions League, and at the international level. A number of strikers have been linked with a move to the London Stadium.
Youssef En-Nesyri, a Moroccan international who plays for Sevilla, has scored 58 goals in 165 appearances for the La Liga team and has won the Europa League twice during his stint with Sevilla. The 26-year-old played a significant role in Morocco’s historic journey to the World Cup semifinals in 2014, scoring twice in seven games in Qatar to help his team become the first African country to advance to the round of 16.
Could En-Nesyri therefore be the one to give the Hammers’ striking options a fresh perspective?
What has been said about En-Nesyri’s ability?
It may be important that the striker has received plaudits from Hammers manager Moyes during the past 12 months. The Scot said of Morocco’s center forward Youssef En-Nesyri in his World Cup column during the tournament held in Qatar last winter: “They (Morocco) have a center forward who is an incredible good runner and gives them an outlet.”
When the Sevilla star was linked with Arsenal a year prior, Kevin Campbell, a former Gunners striker, said: “Good player, really good. He would undoubtedly enter and carry a threat for me. I’ll be honest and say that. He will pose a challenge at the top of the field. He is skilled, knows where the objective is, and is of good size and speed.
Nabil El Zhar, a former Liverpool forward who played alongside En-Nesyri at the international level, added more praise, saying, “He is a very good player.” He is a player who could succeed at Liverpool admirably. He moves quickly, sprints a lot, presses the ball with intensity, and is constantly moving around the field. He’s a really fascinating player.
He is also a really nice guy. He was like a young child when he first arrived in Leganes, always listening to advise. He is a superb professional, a gentle man who respects everyone.
What has En-Nesyri said about his future?
Speaking via his Instagram account in the middle of last season as Sevilla fought to avoid what would have been a shocking relegation from La Liga, the striker addressed interest from numerous clubs throughout Europe.
“I thank all the clubs who have contacted my agent,” he stated. I want to concentrate on Seville right now. Money is not the issue. Wanting to support the team at its most trying times is a question of sportsmanship. I had the option to depart at other times but declined as well.
How do his stats compare to West Ham United’s current strikers?
En-Nesyri has performed better than players like Michail Antonio and Danny Ings so far this season, which presumably won’t come as a surprise to anyone.
In contrast to Antonio’s two goals in nine games, the Sevilla forward has scored five goals in ten appearances in all competitions, while Ings has yet to score in eight appearances throughout the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Europa League.
In a season-long comparison, En-Nesyri outperforms both Hammers stars, scoring 18 goals in 48 appearances as opposed to ten in 43 games and 14 in 48 games for Antonio.
The Moroccan international underperforms his potential teammates when compared to other season 2022–2023 statistics such as shot-creating actions, goal-creating actions, pass completion average, take-ons, ball carries, and touches in the attacking third.
If Moyes makes a bid for his services in the January transfer window, he could need some time to get used to life as a Hammer.